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THE SOUTH SHUSWAP SCOOP
NOVEMBER 2020
Designs for the Future at Eagle Bay By Cathy Wolf The Board of Directors received an update in October from the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) regarding our revitalization project and the outdoor area. The good news is that we do have a final plan for the Park. Requests from our district survey, focus groups, and from the Board have been addressed. A pdf. file on the Eagle Bay Community Association website (www.eaglebayhall.ca) will give access to the full plan and details. The facilities and equipment that will be available speak to the resurgence of outdoor fitness, children’s play areas, sports events and, of course, community gatherings for celebrations, cookouts, and events such as summer music and theatre productions. Tenders for the demotion of the current facilities in the park may not be finalized until the spring. The CSRD wishes to engage bidders without restricting them to this fall for the work. It means that demolition may not take place until spring. Construction should follow on the heels of the demolition. Tenders for construction go out in the spring and we are hopeful that that process is not delayed. The Board is committed to keeping everyone updated. Those of you who have recently passed by the hall will also have noticed that an area beside the bottle recycling shed has been cleared to make way for storage space in support of new outdoor activities. Director’s agreed at the October meeting that safe storage for outdoor tables, grills and propane tanks, chairs, sports equipment, and other equip-
Romance novels written during COVID-19 will be like … as she slowly slipped her mask down and removed her gloves..
ment is needed, so that full use of the new park is supported. This past summer a grant from the CSRD made it possible for the Board to purchase outdoor sound equipment. At the July outdoor Annual General Meeting, the sound equipment was tested. We were pleased to see that we now have the capacity for holding outdoor events that everyone can hear and enjoy. The Board has also begun to explore how we might update the exterior of the hall as well as upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms. COVID-19 requires that we take a careful look at community needs and interests in having indoor venues. Developing a strategic plan for the organization as well as expanding programs and activities will require ongoing discussions. Over time, the Board wishes to understand what the possibilities might be. Meanwhile, events at the hall continue. Fitness began this month in addition to quilting, watercolour classes, crafts, beginner Spanish, and the Garden Club. As protocols for hall use have been reviewed and renewed, we continue to work in small groups and keep the kitchen and cloakroom out of bounds. Sanitization stations are well maintained and coordinators for each event have done a great job in cleaning and preparing the hall for the next group. Valuing our time together has been renewed as well. Great to be at Eagle Bay and enjoy another beautiful restorative fall. With snow gathering on the highlands it won’t be long until we taste the winds of winter, bring out the warm clothes and shovels and decorate the trees.
